Strait and Narrow


Matthew 7:14 “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it”
 
The word strait in the verse “strait is the gate” leads to the Greek word “histemi” which means to “stand firm in the presence of others, in the midst, before judges, and before the Sanhedrin (religious leaders)”. It also carries the meaning of “making firm, to establish a thing, to stand immovable and prepared, and to be of a steadfast mind”. So the strait gate that we the believers have to enter is a gate where we the believers are firmly established in our faith so that we can stand up to the world and what it will send at us. The next phrase that Jesus uses is “narrow” is the way. The word narrow here is the Greek word “tribos” which means “to press (as a grape press), to press hard upon, a compressed way, and metaphorically to be afflicted and distressed”. If you study the church before Constantine gave the apostate Roman Catholic Church power this is EXACTLY what you will find. Paul said it best in 2 Corinthians 8-11 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  For which we live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh”. Do we see this today? Yes we do see it in places like China, North Korea, Russia, and the Middle East but not in America. The americanized christians will scream out that is because we are so “Blessed by God”, but the Word of God disagrees because it says this “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:12-13). So if we are not being persecuted then it is time we ask ourselves, why not? 

The Word of God is clear on this matter so we need to be clear too.
 
It is time we started walking the "strait and narrow" and get off the road to hell, doncha think?

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